21-07-2025
Aussie driver in hysterics after spotting strange sight in ute: 'Best thing ever'
Drivers are often lucky to spot incredible wildlife while travelling along Australian roads, but we don't expect to find the animals inside a vehicle. However, that was the case last week for Arielle Dimech, who was treated to an unusual encounter while visiting her friend in Coffs Harbour.
The 30-year-old was visiting from Tamworth, a rural town in northern NSW, and was travelling in the car when her friend started laughing hysterically behind the wheel. Something was peeking its head out of another vehicle's passenger window.
"I was just saying how different it was to Tamworth, which is very rural. Then I saw it," Arielle told Yahoo News. "Fair to say I've never seen a bird hanging out a window like that."
A native galah was spotted cruising along the road with its owner, feeling the wind in it's feathers. Arielle was quick to pull out her phone and record, capturing the moment that left the friends in stitches.
"It was the best thing ever... it was so Australian," she said.
🎥 Incredible phone footage leads to rediscovery of lost species after 46 years
👀 600 kgs of 'hardcore weeding' done to save rare bird from invasive plant
🥲 Shocking find inside bird highlights worrying beach trend
More than one million Aussies have a pet bird
Arielle explained to Yahoo she had previously trained as a vet nurse and was relieved to spot a safety mechanism attached to the bird to stop it from flying off, or getting injured while travelling in the car.
"You could see on the back [of the bird] it had this little random thing, it's a weighted safety pouch," she explained. "It's a good reminder that some people do actually take care of their pets, and you can have a good adventure with your pet whilst keeping them safe."
More than one million Australian households have a pet bird, and due to increased apartment living, it's believed birds are becoming more popular as pets, according to the RSPCA.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.